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Posted: 7/9/2017 4:56:39 PM EDT
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Went out to a local outdoor range the other day and met a fellow shooter with plenty to say. After exchanging a few shots with each other's firearms, he showed me a scoped Ruger AR15 carbine, topped with a Nikon P-223 'carbine' scope. Although I didn't get to try the scope, aside from looking through it, I'm considering buying one for a carbine build I have in mind. But, since I've never bought a scope before and know little about them, I figured it would be worth tossing this out there. From brownells, it's SKU is listed as 749-013-540WB.
1. I don't plan on shooting farther out than 100 yards, as I'm not that skilled of a marksman yet. Would a 3x power scope be flexible enough for 50-100 yard use? I don't hunt, this build is only for target shooting. 2. Scoping a carbine rifle seems counter-productive to me, as I would think a longer barrel would be more suited to a scoped rifle role. The build I'm planning on (the scope being an after thought thus far) would be a 14.5 p/w 1-9, 556. My favorite ammunition to use as of now is Aguila 62 grain 556 in FMJ boat tail. At 50-100 yards, would the barrel length make any tangible difference? 3. Would the usual FSB get in the way, visually? |
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Quoted:
Went out to a local outdoor range the other day and met a fellow shooter with plenty to say. After exchanging a few shots with each other's firearms, he showed me a scoped Ruger AR15 carbine, topped with a Nikon P-223 'carbine' scope. Although I didn't get to try the scope, aside from looking through it, I'm considering buying one for a carbine build I have in mind. But, since I've never bought a scope before and know little about them, I figured it would be worth tossing this out there. From brownells, it's SKU is listed as 749-013-540WB. 1. I don't plan on shooting farther out than 100 yards, as I'm not that skilled of a marksman yet. Would a 3x power scope be flexible enough for 50-100 yard use? I don't hunt, this build is only for target shooting. 2. Scoping a carbine rifle seems counter-productive to me, as I would think a longer barrel would be more suited to a scoped rifle role. The build I'm planning on (the scope being an after thought thus far) would be a 14.5 p/w 1-9, 556. My favorite ammunition to use as of now is Aguila 62 grain 556 in FMJ boat tail. At 50-100 yards, would the barrel length make any tangible difference? 3. Would the usual FSB get in the way, visually? 1. 3x is fine for 100 yards (unless you're going for tiny groups which judging by your ammo choice you aren't) should be good to 300-400 yards if you want to eventually push it out that far. 2. Soldiers and Marines use M-4 carbines(14.5 inch barrel) out to 400-500 meters with M855 effectively. 3. You may be able to see it but if the scope mount is at a proper AR-15 height, it should just be a faded outline of it at the bottom of the tube (if you can even see it at 3x). |
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That's a decent little fixed power scope and would serve well for your purposes. It has one problem you need to know about: It is very short and has a main tube that is barely long enough for scope rings. It is a challenge to mount far enough forward to give you proper distance from your eye to the back of the scope with your cheek down on the stock in shooting position.
About the only rings that work properly with it on an AR are Nikon's own matching offset two piece P-Series Mounts. If you get the scope, you might want to pick up those rings to go with it. |
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It's a very common misconception with newer guys that you need a long barrel to effectively utilize the capabilities of a magnified optic and that just simply isn't true. Many people utilize magnified optics on rifles sporting barrels even shorter than 14.5". I used a 4x ACOG on my 10.5" SBR for a while.
As for how it will work for your particular uses, yes, low magnification will work perfectly fine for 50-100 yards. In my opinion, you may be better suited with an RDS if you're wanting to keep it to those ranges and still use an optic, but I supposed if you're only shooting from the bench, a little mag won't hurt. When it comes to the FSB, you'll most likely see a slight ghosting at the bottom of your FOV, but it won't be all that noticeable and won't affect your ability to effectively use the scope. |
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A scope will help immensely. Using your crosshairs you can quarter the bullseye into four equal pieces of pie. Accuracy is the outcome.
I like plain duplex crosshairs for general use. It's important that they be fine in the center or they will cover up too much of your intended target. Variable 1-4, 1.25-4, 1.5-5 and 2-7 scopes with extended eye relief (3.5" to 4") work best on an AR15. You want a cantilevered scope mount. Colt, Leupold Mk II, Warne, Vortex and Aero Precision all make good ones. You need the scope mounted 1.4" to 1.5" centerline above the rail. All of these companies cantilevered scope bases will do that. If you buy a great scope now it will last you for the rest of your life barring an accident. Cheap scopes get replaced because the owners find them wanting. They end up becoming money wasted. Buy once - cry once is my suggestion. |
| I've got a P-223 on my Windham M-4, and I'm shooting tight groups at 300 yards. It's s great scope for the money. I bought QD mounts so I can swap out a red dot, or just practice with buis at the range. A good red dot will get you to 100 yards easy, if that's your max distance. |
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@Alaskan: Perfect, straight and to the point. Thank you.
@MS556: I noticed it's length straight away, and if I do buy it I already planned on going for Nikon's base made for it. I like to match parts together like that anyhow. Thanks for the tip. @RJeff21: I must admit that while I am familiar with actions and all that, ballistics is the area which I'm having to learn the most in. I'd love to use an ACOG from trijicon, but unfortunately for a range-plinker, I can't justify the cost. If I were LEO or the like, then absolutely. I have also considered a red dot of some description, but again the same problem (mentally) occurs. EOTech and similar are out of my price range. I've read numerous reviews about Truglo's products, for something cheap to try out since I've never used an optic like that before, but it seems pretty 50/50 love/hate. @Borderpatrol: I also considered the 3x-9x model of the p-223 as well. For 50 bucks more it seems like a worth-while upgrade. Curious, what do you consider a great scope for an AR15? @Ascold_asice742: Amen to that. I cut my teeth, so to speak, on a browning 22 lever action several years ago which has a 4x scope on it. I'm no Jerry Miculek by any means, but I'm pretty good with it, I believe. @Jason370: Ah, a fellow Windham owner. Is your P223 the fixed 3x or adjustable 3x-9x model? Would you mind posting a picture of your windham with the p223? |
| I've got the 4-12 x 40 BDC600. Still have the Nikon p223 mounts on, but I'm swapping those out for the QD's soon though. https://goo.gl/photos/Qf4HzJSbbnnsrCBs7 |
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OP, if you do decide to step up to a 3-9x variable, consider this deal of the century, IMHO:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_18/715499_Weaver-Grand-Slam-Tactical-3-10x40-at-Natchez-Now-.html |
| I bought a Nikon P-223 Carbine scope for my 5.45x39 ar, and I liked it enough to buy two more! Very clear glass,lightweight,and the bdc works perfect for me on a 22 caliber ar I built--center point on 50ish yards and the next line down is spot on at 100 yards. You can shop around for better prices, I think exilemachine.net had the best deal when I got mine. Good luck! |
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